The Joudour Sahara Music Program is located in M’hamid el Ghizlane, the last oasis town in the historic southern Draa Valley in southeastern Morocco, a key stop along the salt and gold caravan routes for nomads coming from Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Algeria, and further south from other regions of Africa. Over centuries these nomadic groups settled throughout the region, and today a vibrant spectrum of cultures and peoples still reside in the ancient kasbahs of their ancestors.

The music program focuses on preserving this rich cultural heritage, holding weekly traditional music classes among the Chamra, Ganga, Ahidous, and Rokba music traditions, reaching up to 60 youth through traditional programming. Local musicians also offer modern music workshops for youth, through the popular Saharan Blues style of music made famous by Ali Farka Toure and Tinariwen from Mali.

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Over the last years Joudour Sahara increased its professional development capacity for aspiring local musicians and youth, implementing a cross-cultural music residencies with renowned American musician Vasti Jackson, Italian guitarist Roberto Luti and leading sound engineering workshops for more than 50 youth with engineer Lei Lacoste, who works with the famed Moroccan musical Oum.

M'hamid, Morocco
80 students

This will be the first construction of its kind in southern Morocco. Playgrounds for children, music classrooms, a studio, outdoor amphitheater, an ecolodge residency, all thermally comfortable anytime throughout the year

Aziza Chaouni,
Principal + Architect, Aziza Chaouni Projects
Co-founder, Joudour Sahara

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VIDEO: A Song from the Joudour Sahara Students featuring Roberto Luti

LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY

For the residents of M’hamid, life is defined by the desert and the oasis. A rich cultural diversity exists here and throughout the region due to the migration of tribes from different parts of Africa and the Arab world centuries ago, mixing with the indigenous Amazigh population. These tribes proudly pass down their traditions and lifestyles, and an environment of peace and tolerance is a fundamental aspect of the community, entrenched among the locals over a long period of time.

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80 weekly students
10 staff members
Traditional Music

TEAM ON THE GROUND

FEATURED STUDENT:

MEET WITH NAJI

Naji draws his inspiration from playing music. Watch this video of his performance singing and playing a beautiful Saharan song called Mzien Bint Bladi

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JOUDOUR SAHARA WEBSITE

Get the full picture on the scope of our work by consulting the Joudour Sahara website. Learn about Joudour Sahara’s dynamic programming and unparalleled initiatives.

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VIDEOS FROM THIS PROGRAM

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